West Virginia is paying folks big bucks to relocate to the state. The Mountain State is unarguably one of the prettiest places to live in the U.S. but it’s also traditionally been one of the poorest. The loss of coal mining jobs has hit the already poverty-stricken state hard, but now communities are battling back against population decline with a bold move, paying people to relocate.
In the past, a lack of well-paying jobs was a roadblock to people relocating. However, with the advent of remote work, Americans are free to live wherever they please.
The lower cost of living in West Virginia is appealing to people paying sky-high prices for housing in big cities. West Virginia towns are sweetening the pot with cold hard cash.
Money, Office Space, and Outdoor Gear
Take Morgantown, West Virginia. The college town is offering $20,000 to remote workers who relocate to the area and buy a home. To qualify workers must work remotely for a company located outside of West Virginia.
Lewisburg, West Virginia makes the same offer. The town of just under 4,000 even offers free office space. The town’s package breaks down to:
- $12,000 cash incentive
- Free Outdoor Recreation package
- Outdoor Gear Library
- Co-working Space
- Country Roads Welcome Trip Package
- Remote Worker Certificate
- Socials and Outings
Even the capital city of Charleston will pay you $5,000 to move there.
Increasing the Tax Base
Why would a community want remote workers to move there? Increasing your population adds to the tax base of the city and many remote workers are well-paid. These individuals might also start their own businesses and hire local residents for a well-paying position.
What does West Virginia have to offer? A lower cost of living and a beautiful natural environment top the list. In New York City, an ordinary one or two-bedroom apartment might run $4,000 a month. The average cost of a home in Los Angeles is $900,000. Compare that to the average home value in Morgantown of $200,000.
Indiana is also making some sweet offers to entice remote workers to the Hoosier State. If this method proves successful at building a younger tax base in communities with dwindling populations, expect to see more states make these types of offers.